The country of Malaysia joins KTM in the spirit of Dakar 2012 – KTM and Malaysia NO1

They call it Malaysia NO1, as in a unifying ‘Number 1!’. KTM, market leaders in the manufacture of sports motorcycles and winners of every Dakar rally since 2001 is delighted to announce a sponsorship partnership with Malaysia NO1 for the 2012 edition of the world’s greatest rally. The 2012 edition begins in Mar Del Plata, Argentina on January 1 and is the first coast-to-coast motorcycle adventure in South America that runs from the shores of the Atlantic to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

The Dakar rally not only symbolizes one of the most challenging annual events on the motorsports calendar but also the ultimate adventure for any motorcycle enthusiast. It is this spirit that KTM is pleased to share the event with the country of Malaysia and the spirit of 1 Malaysia, an initiative of the Prime Minister of Malaysia Yang Amat Berhormat Dato” Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

The project with KTM has been inspired by Y.A.M Dato’ Seri Syed Razlan and Datuk Redza Rafiq, Chief Executive of NCER, Northern Corridor Economy Region, a government agency under the Department Of Prime Minister. It is being executed by the private incorporated company Motonation Manufacturer Sdn Bhd, spearheaded by YAM Dato’ Seri Syed Badlishah and other directors and has been facilitated for KTM by Selvaraj Narayana, Director, Logistic and Sales South East Asia.

KTM is currently expanding its interests in the South East Asia merging markets and has a CKD project to assemble the latest 200 Duke and 690 Duke models targeted for the Malaysian market. It is therefore delighted to confirm this partnership that links Malaysia to the international racing success of KTM and to the Dakar Rally, said KTM spokesperson and special motorsports consultant Heinz Kinigadner. He added that KTM hoped the sponsorship partnership with Malaysia would also be the beginning of a firm future partnership.

“Malaysia is a country that has a growing interest in international motorsports and the high media and sports profile of the Dakar Rally makes it an ideal platform to help convey this message. The Dakar Rally not only delivers high profile news and images of one of the highlights of the motorsports calendar, it also represents the ultimate dream adventure of all motorcycle enthusiasts,” Kinigadner said.

In 2012, KTM is attempting to win its 11th consecutive rally with a factory team spearheaded by two of the world’s greatest exponents of rally sport. Marc Coma, the current title holder and Cyril Despres are not only teammates who have both had a long-term relationship with KTM, they have also each won three Dakar titles. The 2012 edition of the race therefore represents the extension of on the motorsports’ most exciting sporting rivalries. A large proportion of the riders entering the 2012 Dakar Rally, both professional and passionate privateers – many of whom are fulfilling the dream of a lifetime – have chosen a KTM machine for their challenge.